Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is one of several available for determining vertical anisotropy ratio. Among other available methods are Weeks ((5); see Test Method D5473), that relies on distance-drawdown data, and Way and McKee (6), that utilizes time-drawdown data. An important restriction of the Weeks distance-drawdown method is that the observation wells must have identical construction (screened intervals) and two or more of the observation wells must be located at a distance from the pumped well beyond the effects of partial penetration. The procedure described in this test method general distance-drawdown method, in that it works in theory for any observation well configuration incorporating three or more wells, provided some of the wells are within the zone where flow is affected by partial penetration.
5.2.3 Data are obtained from a number of partially penetrating observation wells, some screened at elevations similar to that in the pumped well and some screened at different elevations.
5.3 Calculation Requirements—Application of this method is computationally intensive. The function, fs, shown in (Eq 4) must be evaluated numerous times using arbitrary input parameters. It is not practical to use existing, somewhat limited, tables of values for fs and, because this equation is rather formidable, it is not readily tractable by hand. Because of this, it is assumed the practitioner using this test method will have available a computerized procedure for evaluating the function fs. This can be accomplished using commercially available mathematical software including some spreadsheet applications, or by writing programs in languages such as Fortran or C.
Scope
1.1 This test method covers an analytical procedure for determining the transmissivity, storage coefficient, and ratio of vertical to horizontal hydraulic conductivity of a confined aquifer using observation well drawdown measurements from a constant-rate pumping test. This test method uses data from a minimum of four partially penetrating, properly positioned observation wells around a partially penetrating control well.
1.2 The analytical procedure is used in conjunction with the field procedure in Test Method D4050.
1.3 Limitations—The limitations of the technique for determination of the horizontal and vertical hydraulic conductivity of aquifers are primarily related to the correspondence between the field situation and the simplifying assumption of this test method.
